COURTHOUSE — Under a bright sky, all traffic, commotion and hustling and bustling along Main Street came to a halt during the 2013 Montgomery County Police Officers Annual Memorial Ceremony Friday.

As it has in years past, the ceremony drew hundreds of people from around the county to honor those fallen officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. But Friday was different, as county officials, alongside the wife of slain Plymouth Township Police Officer Brad Fox, added a plaque with his name on it to the memorial wall outside the courthouse.

“This afternoon’s ceremony commemorates another year that has been distinguished by extraordinary acts of valor and selflessness, but also marked, unfortunately, by senseless and unspeakable tragedy,” said President Judge William J. Furber, Jr., one of the day’s speakers.

“The death of Officer Brad Fox has left us numb and distressed. We grieve for his family. Our grief reminds us that law enforcement is not just another job, but a higher calling that involves ones entire family that connects to a larger fellowship, the world over, and deserves the undying respect of every person who enjoys the peace and safety that our law enforcement professionals provide.”

Fox was killed on Sept. 13, 2012 after serving five years with the Plymouth Township Police Department. He was gunned down following a foot chase by the Schuylkill River Trail in pursuit of a suspect wanted in connection to a hit and run crash on Conshohocken Road earlier that day. His killer, Andrew Charles Thomas of Lower Merion, committed suicide moments later.

Joined by elected officials, law enforcement personnel and families of police officers from around the county, the day was also marked by the changing of the guard, the laying of memorial wreaths and finally the unveiling of Fox’s plaque. His wife, Lynsay, dedicated it, along with Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman and Plymouth Township Police Chief Joseph Lawrence.

“Police officers are not just public servants, they are fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, neighbors and friends,” said Pennsylvania State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) President Lester Neri.

“As police officers, we know that we can never predict what will happen when we put on that uniform each day. It takes a lot of hard work to keep our community safe and be prepared to respond when a tragedy occurs.”

Twenty-seven men and women have died in the line of duty in Montgomery County history.